OK, they probably won't ever make it into Bartlett's Book of Quotations, but these are still some of the best utterances in the modern era of Cornhusker football:
This is a great win for the kids,
the staff and the State of Nebraska.
Tippy Dye, UNL athletic director, following Nebraska's 25-13 win over
Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1962.
We didn't want people back home
saying we'd just come to New York to have a good time. So we came back that
second half and improved a heck of a lot. You're darn right we're going to have
that good time tonight.
Nebraska quarterback Dennis Claridge after Nebraska defeated Miami, Fla., in
the 1962 Gotham Bowl 36-34.
To see that rugged fellow walk off
the field crying was enough to run a chill down your back.
Omaha World-Herald writer Wally Provost, describing Oklahoma State running
back Walt Garrison, who as time expired was stopped five yards short of a
touchdown that would have upset unbeaten Nebraska in 1965.
I really can't say too much, because
I really don't know.
Oklahoma running back Steve Owens, the 1969 Heisman winner, trying to
describe what
happened to his Sooners in a 44-14 loss to Nebraska. He was held to 71 yards on
21 carries, the worst day of his career.
Even the Pope would have to vote us
No. 1.
Nebraska Coach Bob Devaney, following No. 3 Nebraska's 17-12 win over LSU in
the 1971 Orange Bowl. At the time, No. 4 Notre Dame also was lobbying for the
top spot after No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Ohio State both lost their bowls.
I surely think they are one of the
greatest, if not the greatest, team I've ever seen. They just toyed with us.
They just flat whipped our butts in every way known to man. We were never in the
game.
Alabama Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant after the 1972 Orange Bowl. The
No. 2 Tide lost 38-6 to the No. 1 Cornhuskers.
If there is a guy in the country who
thinks Johnny Rodgers doesn't deserve the Heisman Trophy, he should quit writing
sports or broadcasting or whatever he does.
Bob Devaney, following Rodgers' incredible performance in NU's
40-6 win over Notre Dame in the 1973 Orange Bowl.
Every time we threw some garbage at
them, it worked.
Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne, describing how trick plays helped beat Missouri,
30-7, in 1975.
I've been doing a lot of talking.
But I don't mind. I could probably talk all night about this game. I probably
will, too.
Cornhusker monsterback Jim Pillen, whose late fumble recovery sealed NU's
17-14 win over top-ranked Oklahoma in 1978.
Anybody back in Nebraska unhappy
with this win doesn't know what happened down here.
Tom Osborne, reflecting on a win over Missouri in 1979 with the help of a
last-second field goal.
He had more grass stains than I did.
That's not a good sign.
Two-time Outland Trophy winner Dave Rimington, speaking of his quarterback,
Turner Gill, in the first half of 1981's battle against a fiercely-blitzing
Missouri team. NU eventually won, 6-0.
I realized the people in Nebraska
haven't been really happy with me. That's why I wanted to win this one so badly.
Backup Husker quarterback Mark Mauer after NU's 37-14 rout of Oklahoma in
1981. Mauer's erratic play earlier in the year led to sophomore Turner Gill
taking over in the Huskers' fourth game.
He's fair game.
Missouri defender Randy Jostes, referring to Nebraska quarterback Turner
Gill. Jostes blindsided Gill several seconds after the quarterback had handed
the ball off, leaving Gill with a concussion. Nebraska still prevailed, 23-19.
Throwing oranges has to be one of
the most idiotic customs I've ever seen.
Tom Osborne, referring to NU fans' behavior during a 28-24 win over Oklahoma
in 1982.
Did you ever get the crap kicked out
of you? Well, you just saw Penn State get the crap kicked out of it.
Nittany Lions Coach Joe Paterno, following Nebraska's 44-6 win over the
defending national champions in the inaugural Kickoff Classic in 1983.
That's the finest 2-yard run I've
ever seen.
Tom Osborne on Mike Rozier's famous "reverse field" touchdown
against UCLA in '83.
I kept looking at the scoreboard and
it was still the third quarter. I couldn't believe it.
NU defensive back Mike McCashland, referring to the Cornhuskers'
school-record 48 third-quarter points against Colorado in 1983. Nebraska won,
69-19.
The Big 8, the national
championship, it all flashed before my eyes before Neil's play. I was scared.
Husker safety Bret Clark following NU's 28-21 win over Oklahoma in Norman in
1983.
Cornerback Neil Harris tipped away a fourth-down pass in the Nebraska end zone
to preserve the win.
There was no doubt in Tom Osborne's
mind, and there was no doubt in my mind. It was a championship game, and he went
after it like a champion.
Miami, Fla., Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger on Tom Osborne's decision to go
for two instead of kicking the tying point that would have given Nebraska the
national championship.
We worked hard on stopping their
running game. We worked hard on stopping their passing game. How hard can you
work on stopping a kicker?
Missouri safety Erik McMillan after his Tigers lost 28-20 at home to
the Cornhuskers. Twenty-one of the Huskers' points came on seven field goals
from NU kicker Dale Klein.
Thurman walked by and right in front
of our whole defense said, 'You guys won't be able to stop me one-on-one. It
will take all 11 of you.' He went off like the Tasmanian Devil had jumped in his
heart. I almost fell on the ground laughing.
Blackshirt Broderick Thomas on a Stillwater movie-theater altercation with
OSU running back Thurman Thomas the night before Nebraska and the Cowboys
squared off in 1987.
What's his number? 34? Well, three
and four is seven, and so that's what he got.
Nebraska safety Charles Fryar, after the Blackshirts held Thomas to seven
yards on nine carries in a 35-0 rout.
This was like a 1983 game.
Tom Osborne, referring to the scoreline of a 63-42 home win over Oklahoma
State in 1988.
I was just trying to get a better
grip on the ball. I felt the ball slipping and I just tried to get a better grip
on it. I saw the endzone and I guess I relaxed at the wrong time.
Colorado's J.J. Flannigan, whose unforced fumble as he rumbled toward the NU
end zone killed a sure score for the Buffaloes in 1988. Nebraska eventually
prevailed, 7-0.
You line up against a guy and you
beat him or he beats you. There's no stalemate. Your heart is either pumping
blood or Kool-Aid.
Nebraska defender John Parrella, describing Nebraska's secret in pummeling
Colorado in 1992 by a 52-7 score.
I guess it was our time, because
Nebraska played as good or better than we did. Nebraska is a lot better than I
thought. A lot better.
Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden after Florida State's controversial 1994 Orange
Bowl win over Nebraska.
Nebraska is still Nebraska. Kansas
State is still Kansas State.
NU linebacker Ed Stewart in 1994 after the
injury-riddled Cornhuskers handed the unbeaten Wildcats yet another loss.
Hey, Tommie, where you been?
Miami, Fla., nose tackle Warren Sapp to Nebraska QB Tommie Frazier in the
fourth quarter of the 1995 Orange Bowl. Frazier, who had started the game, gave
way to Brook Berringer but was re-inserted into the lineup with 11 minutes left.
It's not where I've been, fat boy.
It's where I'm going.
Frazier, in response. Nebraska scored two touchdowns to defeat the
Hurricanes, 24-17. Frazier was subsequently named the game's MVP.
That's it! It's over! Bring that
trophy back to Lincoln!
KFAB play-by-play man Kent Pavelka, who was a tad bit excited as the final
seconds of the 1995 Orange Bowl ticked away.
Teams that do that stuff are worried
and are looking for something to help them.
Tom Osborne, describing Colorado's 1995 ploy of beating Samoan War Drums,
chanting "War Time!" and entering the stadium through the student
section. Nebraska scored on the first play from scrimmage and blew out the
Buffs, 44-21.
This has been a terrible year and a
great year.
Tom Osborne, reflecting on the 1995 national championship season and the
negative publicity that came with it.
All I saw was this brown thing
bouncing around and the ref raised his hands.
Scott Frost, on his vantage point of Matt Davison's catch off the foot of
Shevin Wiggins. The 1997 catch has been dubbed The 'Miracle at Missouri.'
It was just one stinking play.
Mizzou Coach Larry Smith.
I think it's wise to back off before
you leave feet first or somebody tells you it's time to go.
Tom Osborne, in announcing his retirement after 25 years as head coach.
If you can look yourself in the
mirror and say if your job depended on playing either Michigan or Nebraska, who
would you rather play? The Rose Bowl ended on a controversial play; we took
apart the No. 3 team in the country.
Scott Frost, lobbying coaches' poll voters for at least a share of the 1997
mythical national championship after a 42-17 rout of Tennessee in the 1998
Orange Bowl.
If you can't throw it and can't run
it either there is no sense on being on the field. You can't play like that
against a team like Nebraska.
Kansas State running back David Allen after Nebraska handed KSU its only 1999
loss, 41-15.
Our kicker choked.
Colorado linebacker Jayshon Skyes on Buffalo placekicker Jeremy Aldrich,
whose missed 30-yard field goal as time expired in 1999 meant the game with
Nebraska would go into overtime. The Huskers prevailed in the extra period,
33-30.
I can die now!
Nebraska rover Mike Brown following a 22-6 rout of Texas to clinch the
1999 Big 12 title.
It looked like there was a big fight
outside for tickets, and a bunch of Nebraska people won.
Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch on the 30,000 Cornhusker fans that invaded
Notre Dame Stadium in 2000 to watch NU's 27-24 overtime triumph.
Even with the headsets on, I heard a
few groans.
Frank Solich, referring to Memorial Stadium's response to a 1-yard
quarterback draw with 29 seconds left and Nebraska trailing Colorado 32-31. NU
scored on the game's final play to beat the Buffs, 34-32, in the 2000 season
finale.
I'm sorry. They were more like a
junior high team.
Nebraska linebacker Carlos Polk, after NU decimated brash-talking Northwestern
66-17 in the 2000 Alamo Bowl. Polk had previously compared the Wildcats to 'a
high school team.'
I kind of amazed myself in a lot of
ways.
Eric Crouch, reflecting on his school-record, 95-yard touchdown run against
Missouri in 2001, which saw him escape a sack, juke out two defenders, and
outrun the entire Tiger defense for the score.
I won't lie -- I was nervous. But
once I got the ball in my hand, it was just playing football.
Nebraska freshman quarterback Mike Stuntz, after throwing a 63-yard touchdown
pass to quarterback Eric Crouch on a trick play -- 41 Black Flash Reverse Pass
-- to seal a 20-10 Cornhusker win over No. 1 Oklahoma in 2001.
You'd better cowboy up and get ready
to hit us, because we're going to hit you harder. And we're probably going to
win.
Nebraska fullback Judd Davies, after Nebraska turned to its power game to
snuff out Kansas State, 31-21, in 2001.
A long time ago I never thought I
could do something like this, but I always believed in myself. Deep down inside
you want that trophy, but win or lose I always want to be the same person --
keeping my character and keeping composed.
Eric Crouch, moments after being announced as the winner of the 2001 Heisman
Trophy.
Nothing's changed. Except now
I have a Heisman Trophy sitting on the counter at home.
Nebraska senior quarterback Eric Crouch, during preparations for the 2002
Rose Bowl vs. Miami.
Some fans always want change. Some
don't.
Frank Solich, discussing modifications being considered to Nebraska's football
uniforms for the 2002 season.
We've had stretches where they've
played well, but not nearly enough of them.
Solich, after NU's second straight blowout
loss of the 2002 season -- a 36-14 setback to Iowa State -- send the Cornhuskers
tumbling out of the rankings for the first time since 1981.
I got hit pretty good. It woke me up. After that, I was all ready.
David Horne discussing his first college carry -- a 3-yard gain
against McNeese State. Horne rushed 12 times for 81 yards in Nebraska's 38-14
victory.
I don't want people to think I'm a
quitter. But what I can't do is quit on my family.
Thunder Collins, in deciding to leave the squad midway through
his senior season.
It's stupid stuff you learn in Pop Warner football. We start coasting downhill,
and then all of a sudden we create another hill for ourselves.
Nebraska Center John Garrison, on NU's troubles in 2002.
He was a guy who would line up with no helmet and play. He was a
tough-nosed guy.
Garrison on former Husker lineman Jake Young, who was killed last fall in a
terrorist attack at a Bali nightclub.
The decision not to kick the field goal is a very soul-searching decision.
If I had to do it again, I would (kick).
Frank Solich, pining for another chance after losing in the final seconds to
Texas, 27-24.
Loyalty and continuity played a big role in his success. That works
in many cases... But at this point, it's not the right direction for us.
Solich, after dropping the axe on six assistant coaches following Nebraska's
worst season in 41 years.
We really still want to have a physical offense here, and that's kind of what
I'm all about. I've kind of gone about it in a little bit different way, by
throwing balls more on first down. I really like play-action passes, I like
high-percentage throws on early downs, taking a chance on first down.
New offensive coordinator Barney Cotton